Cougars Drop Senior Night Contest to EPC

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Times-Democrat Sports Staff

The Cougars celebrate following Max Ford's early touchdown in their home loss to EPC.

TD photo/Jane Gatewood

The Rector offense came to life Friday night, as the Cougars hosted EPC for senior night at Temerian Field. But, the RHS defense continued to have its issues, as the Warriors notched a 62-26 conference win. Leading the way was EPC's Eric Driver, who rushing for nearly 200 yards while scoring four of the TD's. Max Ford had two of the Rector scores, with Nick Mesa and Frank Herrera accounting for the remainder of the Cougar scoring on the night.

Following senior night pre-game festivities the two teams squared-off, with Driver scoring his first touchdown just moments into the contest to take a 7-0 lead. Moving the ball sharply, the Rector offense countered with Ford scoring from one yard out at the 4:00 mark, to cut the lead to one.

But, the Warrior offense reeled off four unanswered touchdowns, including a 56 yard run by Andrew Harston and a six yard run by Jonathan Gilmore. With just over a minute and a half to play in the first half they led 36-6, but once again the Cougars answered with a touchdown by Ford, this time from six yards out.

On the ensuing drive the Warriors also had an answer, as Driver scored another touchdown on the final play of the quarter.

As the second half got underway Mesa found paydirt for the Cougars, only to see Austin Baker break a touchdown run late in the quarter to extend the EPC lead. Early in the fourth Drew Lung scored for the Warriors to extend the lead to 56-20.

Answering later in the quarter with a seven yard touchdown run was Herrera, although T.J. Bush would have the final say for the visitors with a 64 yard touchdown run with 1:41 left in the contest to set the final score.

With the win the Warriors maintain hopes of reaching the playoffs, as they'll take on Cross County on Friday. Meanwhile, the Cougars will be on the road at Marked Tree to take on the Indians with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Next Thursday, Nov. 2, they'll close out the season at Midland.